House Bill Would Slash Public Health, Clean Energy Funding
Statement from EDF SVP for Political Affairs Elizabeth Gore
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House Appropriations Committee today completed its markup of a funding bill that would cut the Environmental Protection Agency’s budget to dangerously low levels. The proposed cut of 39% would reduce the agency’s funding to its lowest level since 1991. The Republicans' proposal includes unprecedented cuts to numerous programs designed to combat climate pollution and protect public health. It could soon head to the floor of the House of Representatives for consideration.
“President Biden’s historic clean energy plan investments lay the foundation for building a clean energy future that will reduce harmful pollution, improve our health, make us more energy secure, reduce energy bills, create jobs and heal the planet,” said Elizabeth Gore, Environmental Defense Fund’s senior vice president for political affairs. “We’re already seeing significant benefits across the U.S. We cannot allow Republican leadership to interfere with this progress.
“Republicans’ proposed budget would eliminate or roll back popular programs and investments that are lowering household energy costs and cutting climate pollution. It makes no sense. Every state is poised to gain clean-energy jobs, and some of the politicians touting the jobs created by these investments are the ones looking to take away funding.”
Republicans’ budget proposal eliminates funding for advancing justice in communities that bear the brunt of legacy pollution and climate change. It also includes poison pill policy riders that slow down climate progress, block clean energy measures and undermine clean water.
The extreme Republican appropriations bill, which falls outside of the negotiated debt limit deal, proposes significant cuts from President Biden’s historic clean energy plan investments, hampering implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The bill aims to remove $7.8 billion from the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, which creates jobs and supports historic investments for low-income and overburdened communities, and $1.4 billion to address environmental health impacts in communities overburdened by pollution. The proposal also aims to cut funding for toxic chemical review programs by an alarming 15%, undermining a critical public health program.
One of the world’s leading international nonprofit organizations, Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org) creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. With more than 3 million members and offices in the United States, China, Mexico, Indonesia and the European Union, EDF’s scientists, economists, attorneys and policy experts are working in 28 countries to turn our solutions into action. Connect with us on Twitter @EnvDefenseFund
Media Contact
Latest press releases
-
North Carolina Utilities Commission Order on Duke Energy Carbon Plan Leaves Path to Offshore Wind on the Table
November 4, 2024 -
New Report Outlines Need for Quality Interventions in Climate Finance Goal Under Discussion at COP29
October 30, 2024 -
New Findings Highlight 22% Growth in Pennsylvania’s Methane Mitigation Industry
October 29, 2024 -
New Jersey Board of Public Utilities announces order for charging of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles
October 29, 2024 -
Supreme Court Will Consider Decisions about Interstate Air Pollution Protections from Coal-Fired Power Plants
October 21, 2024 -
Biden Administration Investments Will Bolster Grid Resilience in the Wake of Severe Storms
October 18, 2024